North Dakota is an almost-perfect rectangle-shaped state in the West North Central section of the United States. Being a vast plains state, it is predominantly a agricultural state. To its north lies Canada. Bismarck is its capital and Fargo is its largest city.

The state’s early settlers, were originally into fur trading, but its rich and vast farmland was taken up by settlers that entered the area after the wars with Native Americans have subsided and railroads have been constructed. The area, including present-day North Dakota was made a US territory in 1861 and named after the Dakota people residing there. These residents stuck with the name when the territory was divided into north and south upon joining the Union on November 2, 1889, making North Dakota the 39th state.

North Dakota has a number of nicknames. It is called the Peace Garden State, in reference to the International Peace Garden lying on the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada. The nickname Flickertail State refers to the flickertail ground squirrel easily found in central region of the state. It is also called the Sioux State because its Dakota residents are popularly known as the Sioux.

Popular destinations to visit is the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, inside which are prehistoric plants and animal fossils and petrified forests can be found; the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site near Stanton; the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic; the two national grasslands, Sheyenne and Little Missouri, which serve as sanctuaries to dozens of wildlife species; one of America’s biggest game preserves Sully’s Hill; Turtle River State Park, an ideal location for swimming and boating; Garrison Dam and Lake Sakakawea; and the rich oil fields at Fryburg. Festivals include reenactments of pioneering days at historic sites in summer. Dickinson Roughrider Days, held during the weekend of the Fourth of July, is the largest rodeo in the city.